Idaho

67 of 102 lower-income occupations licensed
30th most burdensome licensing laws
16th most broadly and onerously licensed state

Idaho licenses 67 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here. Its laws are the 30th most burdensome, requiring an average of $164 in fees, 332 days of education and experience, and around one exam. Despite ranking in the less burdensome half of states, Idaho is in the top half of broadly and onerously licensed states—ranking 16th—because it licenses a higher number of occupations than most states.

Idaho frequently licenses occupations that are unlicensed by other states. Bill collection agencies are licensed by just 30 other states but must demonstrate three years (roughly 1,095 days) of experience before they can operate in Idaho. (The average across licensed states is just 159 days.) And log scalers and nursery workers are each licensed by only one other state.

Idaho also imposes higher-than-average burdens on fire and security alarm installers. The state requires 1,460 days (four years) of experience before alarm installers can open for business. The average across licensed states is about 40 percent lower: approximately 915 days of education and experience for fire alarm installers and 836 days for security alarm installers.

Idaho also imposes particularly heavy burdens on some occupations with little connection to public safety. EMTs, for example, must demonstrate only 150 hours (an estimated 35 days) of education to become licensed. But would-be cosmetologists must complete 2,000 hours (about 467 days) of education to become licensed—some of the highest cosmetology license requirements in the nation. Idaho could open up more employment opportunities in the state by reducing or repealing burdensome licensing requirements for cosmetologists and other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives such as inspections or voluntary certification.

Burden Rank Occupation Fees Estimated Calendar Days Lost Education Experience Exams Minimum Grade Minimum Age
1 Preschool Teacher, Public School $350 2555 4 years 3 years 2 0 18
2 HVAC Contractor (Commercial) $395 2190 - 6 years 2 0 18
2 HVAC Contractor (Residential) $395 2190 - 6 years 2 0 18
2 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial) $395 2190 - 6 years 2 0 18
2 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential) $395 2190 - 6 years 2 0 18
6 Fire Alarm Installer $335 1460 - 4 years 2 0 16
6 Security Alarm Installer $335 1460 - 4 years 2 0 16
8 Athletic Trainer $450 1460 4 years - 1 0 0
9 Midwife, Direct Entry $2000 1095 3 years - 1 12 0
10 Bill Collection Agency $150 1095 - 3 years 0 0 0
11 Veterinary Technician $477 730 2 years - 2 0 18
12 Earth Driller, Water Well $260 730 - 2 years 1 0 0
13 Cosmetologist $186 467 2000 clock hours - 2 10 17
14 School Bus Driver $148 367 10 clock hours 1 years 6 0 18
15 Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer $145 365 - 1 years 5 0 18
16 Bus Driver, City/Transit $135 365 - 1 years 5 0 18
17 Truck Driver, Other $142 365 - 1 years 4 0 18
18 Barber $100 210 900 clock hours - 3 10 17
19 Shampooer $186 210 900 clock hours - 2 10 17
20 Massage Therapist $320 117 500 clock hours - 1 12 18
21 Makeup Artist $186 140 600 clock hours - 2 10 17
21 Skin Care Specialist $186 140 600 clock hours - 2 10 17
23 Manicurist $186 93 400 clock hours - 2 10 17
24 Pharmacy Technician $199 0 - - 1 12 18
25 Travel Guide $820 0 - - 1 0 18
26 Emergency Medical Technician $80 35 150 clock hours - 2 0 18
27 Vegetation Pesticide Applicator $90 0 - - 3 0 18
28 Mobile Home Installer $220 0 - - 1 0 18
29 Pest Control Applicator $70 0 - - 1 0 18
30 Weigher $10 0 - - 0 0 18
31 Log Scaler $25 0 - - 2 0 0
32 Farm Labor Contractor $250 0 - - 0 0 0
33 Milk Sampler $25 0 - - 1 0 0
34 Landscape Contractor (Commercial) $130 0 - - 0 0 0
34 Landscape Contractor (Residential) $130 0 - - 0 0 0
36 Fisher, Commercial $112 0 - - 0 0 0
37 Nursery Worker $100 0 - - 0 0 0
38 Taxidermist $40 0 - - 0 0 0
39 Paving Contractor (Commercial) $35 0 - - 0 0 0
39 Paving Contractor (Residential) $35 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Door Repair Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Door Repair Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Floor Sander Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Glazier Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Glazier Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Insulation Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Insulation Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Mason Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Mason Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Painting Contractor (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Painting Contractor (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Pipelayer Contractor $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
41 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential) $30 0 - - 0 0 0
64 Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial) $25 0 - - 0 0 0
64 Terrazzo Contractor (Residential) $25 0 - - 0 0 0
66 Animal Breeder $14 0 - - 0 0 0
67 Coach, Head (High School Sports) $0 1 4.5 clock hours - 0 0 0